Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar has expressed his strong support for Ravindra Jadeja’s inclusion in India’s Playing XI for the third Test against Australia in Brisbane, starting December 14. Bangar hailed Jadeja as India’s best spin option in overseas conditions and emphasised his importance in the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Jadeja’s inclusion marks one of two changes in India’s lineup following their crushing defeat in the Adelaide pink-ball Test. He replaced Washington Sundar, while Akash Deep came in for Harshit Rana. Commentating on Day 1 of the Brisbane Test at the Gabba, Bangar noted how India had missed Jadeja’s all-round abilities in the opening two matches.
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“He (Jadeja) has always been the first choice spinner in overseas conditions and that’s where India has won a lot of overseas test matches in recent times, and I was a little bit surprised that, maybe the team management would have got swayed away by the performances of Washington Sundar in the previous test series against New Zealand, but those conditions were totally different. I’m glad that they resorted to someone like a Jadeja, who may not have to do a lot of work in the first innings. His record as a batter also helps the team get useful runs in the lower order of the innings as well, which has been significant in helping one win overseas matches,” Bangar said while commentating.
India’s spinners have been shuffled throughout the series. R Ashwin and Jadeja were both omitted for the series opener in Perth, with Sundar filling the spin role. While Ashwin returned for the Adelaide Test, Jadeja continued to sit out. However, Brisbane’s conditions and the need for an experienced all-rounder prompted Jadeja’s recall for the crucial third Test.
India, after losing their lead in the series, took a bold step by electing to bowl first in Brisbane following rain interruptions. The pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep opened the attack against Australia’s openers, Nathan McSweeney and Usman Khawaja. Although Jadeja has yet to bowl a single over, it can be seen that the rain-dampened pitch might make him a pivotal weapon for India in breaking Australia’s opening partnership.